just write the thing
“You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.”
Eric Maisel • A Writer's Space
In writing, habit seems to be a much stronger force than either willpower or inspiration. Consequently there must be some little quality of fierceness until the habit pattern of a certain number of words is established. There is no possibility, in me at least, of saying, “I’ll do it if I feel like it.” One never feels like awaking day after day. In
... See moreJohn Steinbeck • Working Days
From experience, I knew what to do. Write. Write anything. Bad sentences, meaningless sentences, anything to get the mind fixed again to that sheet of paper and oblivious of the ‘real’ world. Write until the words begin to make sense, the cogs mesh, the wheels start to turn, the creaking movement quickens and becomes a smooth, oiled run, and then,
... See moreMary Stewart • Stormy Petrel
In fact, what is there to support not getting on with your day? Logic, the world, your partner and family all cry out for you to break your vow to write. It only takes a moment to assure yourself that your vow to write for, say, twenty minutes, is ridiculous. Probably you will arrive at this critical juncture every single day. Do not deceive
... See moreGail Sher • One Continuous Mistake
Make a list of the things you will never do in your writing space. Keep that list handy, right beside your computer. 2. Make a list of the things you will only occasionally do in your writing space. Keep that list handy, right beside your computer.
Eric Maisel • A Writer's Space
Because you have shielded your writing time, you just need to sit down and open a new document. All of the mental energy you would have used to figure out when and where to write can be saved for the actual writing.
Anne-Laure Le Cunff • How to Build a Better Writing Habit
“Given the exact circumstances in which I find myself, am I able to write for fifteen minutes?” If your answer is no, explain to yourself why you are answering no. If your answer is yes but you don’t start writing, explain to yourself why, even though you feel able to write, you aren’t writing. If your answer is yes and you do write, have a chat
... See moreEric Maisel • A Writer's Space
He can look out the window or stand on his head or writhe on the floor. But he is not to do any other positive thing, not read, write letters, glance at magazines, or write checks. Write or nothing. . . . I find it works. Two very simple rules, a: you don’t have to write. b: you can’t do anything else. The rest comes of itself.